United forum of Bank unions which consists of 9 bank unions including All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) among others have given all India Bank strike call on 31st January, 1st Feb, 11th, 12th & 13 March and thereafter indefinite strike from 1st April 2020 demanding early and respectable wage revision, 5 day week, defined working hour for officers, scrap new pension scheme and revision/updation of family pension/pension. They oppose mergers and amalgamations in banking sector as it is a prelude for privatization. They have also announced plans for demonstrations, signature campaigns and poster displays among other protest methods from January 20, 2020 to April 1, 2020. The timing of the bank strike particularly on 31st January and 1st February assumes significance as it coincides with Budget Day.
According to AIBOC (All India Bank Offices Confederation), the increase in wages is for seeking compensation against the price rise as well as to meet the demands of the various situations in the society. 32 months have elapsed. The progress was in snails's pace. Our patience has reached the tolerance level. UFBU says that the unanimous decision to intensify agitation was taken after talks with Indian Banks' Association (IBA) failed. UFBU in circular has alleged stiff approach of the Indian Banks' Association on demands for a fair wage revision settlement. UFBU is seeking at least a 15-per cent hike, but the IBA has capped the raise at 12.25 per cent. In the past wage settlement, which was for the period November 1, 2012, to October 31, 2017, the employees got a 15 per cent hike.
No headway has been made in the process so far even after 32 months since the discussion on wage revision began. Around 3.2 lakh officers participated in the strike. The demands of bank officers include implementation of the 11th bipartite settlement relating to salary and perks, giving effect to wage revision at the earliest, striking a balance in the duties and work of officers, giving effect to five-day-week in banks, upward revision of pension of retired bank officials, giving preference to basic banking transactions, banning marketing of non-banking products, cancellation of New Pension Scheme and give effect to specific pension etc.
The banking industry in India witnessed sea-change through nationalization of banks in the years 1969 and 1980 with the sole aim of promoting small savings for self-sufficiency and for utilizing the banks as catalytic agents for economic growth. AIBOC opposes the move to merge nationalized banks as the merger would result in reducing staff size and number of branches of associate banks in the name of rationalisation of operations.
During last more than seven decades Bank Employees had fought many Battles – but have not lost in a single one. They have won in each and every battle. Their strength is their unity among rank and file supporting this strike call. No doubt, banking services like cash withdrawal and deposits are going to affect at several bank branches where employees will not turn up for work and instead chose to sit outside on protest but on the other side bank employees have always played a vital role in strengthening banks and economy and they must be rewarded in the form of their justified demands.
Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
B-15 Jyoti-Kalash Society,
Jodhpur Tekra
Satellite
Ahmedabad – 380 015
